Job Specification Details

The plant health supervisor protects Vermont’s natural ecosystems and managed lands by preventing or mitigating plant pests, and invasive/exotic plants from impacting the environment and the agricultural industry. Supervisory, analytical, technical, educational, grants management and regulatory work at professional level at the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The incumbent establish frameworks to manage or prevent injurious plant pests from becoming established and create systems to surveille pest and pest movement in and into Vermont. Work is performed under the general supervision and in consultation with an Assistant Director of the Public Health and Agricultural Resource Management (PHARM) Division.

Plans, develops, coordinates with others and oversees the inspection and regulatory compliance efforts of the Nursery Inspection, Christmas Tree Inspection, Seed Potato (and other crop) certification, and noxious weed regulatory programs and enforces rules. Manages the Invasive/ Exotic Plant Advisory Committee, participates in the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS).   Serves as the State Plant Regulatory Official (SPRO) and are the Vermont delegate to the National Plant Board. The incumbent supervises, prioritizes workload and sets expectations for staff, and ensures consistent and robust application of program rules; liaises with other state and federal regulatory officials, and the public; develops uniform educational material about pests, pest dangers, and the necessity of plant health protection; engages in the rulemaking process; and interprets and administers regulations, including preventing sale, movement, distribution, and in some instances possession, or cultivation of certain species of plants deemed to be harmful to Vermont native plants and ecosystems. for the regulated industries.  Plans, organizes, and convenes meetings of statutory boards in compliance with open meeting law. Seek out and apply for grants and manages contract associated with plant pest management.

Duties are performed in an office setting and in the field. Travel is required in state and out of state with possible overnight stays. Attendance at public meetings, may be required. 

Must be proficient with all Microsoft Office products.

Must have knowledge of Vermont law and rules addressing plant pests, noxious weeds, and plant health

Must be detail oriented.

Well organized with strong project planning and regulatory experience.

Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Ability to negotiate and to advocate aggressively without jeopardizing working relationships.

Ability to organize and conduct formal meetings.

Skill in simplifying and presenting technical materials to the general public.

Ability to make and defend decisions under pressure.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Bachelor's degree or higher AND four (4) years or more of experience at a technical or professional level in a regulatory position, agriculture/agribusiness, agricultural law, or a related field INCLUDING one (1) year or more of supervisory experience.

Specialist in plant pest identification.

Other knowledge may include plant pathology, botany, horticulture, and statistical or analytical methods. 

Must be or be working towards becoming a Vermont-certified pesticide applicator.

N/A